Activist and Vocal Africa CEO Hussein Khalid has reported that five people lost their lives during the public viewings of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at Kasarani and Nyayo Stadium.
In a statement shared on his X account on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, Khalid said three people were shot and killed at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, while two others died following a stampede at the Nyayo National Stadium during the State Funeral.
He said VOCAL Africa was at the City Mortuary awaiting postmortem examinations of the victims.
“VOCAL Africa is currently at City Mortuary awaiting the postmortem of the three victims shot and killed last Thursday during the viewing of Baba’s body at Kasarani Stadium. Additionally, reports have confirmed the deaths of two more individuals at Nyayo Stadium following a stampede. We will share further details about the victims as soon as they are confirmed,” he said.
Among those confirmed dead is 41-year-old Josephine Anjao Okeng’o from Kibra, who lost her life in the Nyayo Stadium tragedy.
“VOCAL Africa, together with the family of Josephine Anjao Okeng’o, aged 41 from Kibra, mourns her tragic death following a stampede at Nyayo Stadium during the viewing of the late Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s body,” Khalid stated.
Another victim, identified as Jidah Burka, was killed at Kasarani. He had gone to pay his last respects to Odinga but never returned home.
His mother, Boni Bori, said her son was the family’s breadwinner and left behind young children. She has called on the government to explain why her son was shot and to ensure justice for the victims.
Chaos was reported at the Kasarani Stadium on Thursday, October 16, 2025, when thousands of mourners gathered to view Odinga’s body. Witnesses said the crowd became uncontrollable as people pushed to access the main arena.
Security officers fired tear gas and live bullets to disperse the surging crowd, triggering panic and a stampede that left several injured. According to international and local reports, at least four people died and dozens were injured during the chaos.
The following day, tragedy struck again at Nyayo National Stadium during the State Funeral. Tens of thousands of mourners had turned up to bid farewell to the opposition leader when a stampede broke out near one of the gates. Aid groups, including Médecins Sans Frontières, reported that two people died while over 160 others were treated for injuries. Witnesses described scenes of panic as people screamed for help amid the crush.
Authorities have yet to release an official report on the number of casualties or the cause of the incidents. Human rights organisations are calling for a full investigation into the use of force by police and the adequacy of crowd control measures at the two venues.
The public viewings of Raila Odinga, who died in India earlier this month, drew massive crowds from across the country. His passing has evoked deep emotion, with thousands turning up daily to pay their last respects.
